TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2008

COMING WEDNESDAY

Smallville news -- and much more!

X-MEN ORIGINS: WOLVERINE CASTING

Three more members of the cast for X-Men Origins: Wolverine have been revealed.

According to Variety, Ryan Reynolds, who starred as Hannibal King in Blade: Trinity, has joined the Wolverine cast. He is believed to be playing Deadpool in the film. Reynolds has long expressed an interest in the character.

Fox has yet to confirm Reynolds' casting, but did confirm that Taylor Kitsch of NBC's Friday Night Lights will be playing Gambit.

Hip-hop artist will.i.am is also part of the cast, according to Variety.

They join a cast that includes Hugh Jackman as Wolverine, Liev Scheiber as Sabretooth, Danny Huston as William Stryker and Lynn Collins as Silver Fox.

The film has already begun shooting under the direction of Gavin Hood for a May 1, 2009 release.

DC COMICS FOR MAY

For a rundown of upcoming DC Direct products, with images, CLICK HERE.

VELOCITY, CYBLADE WIN TOP COW'S PILOT SEASON

Top Cow Productions on Tuesday announced that Velocity and Cyblade are the winners of its Pilot Season voting.

Both books will launch as ongoing titles in the fall.

Velocity will be written by original Pilot Season writer Joe Casey, with an artist to be named.

"I couldnąt believe the voting topped four million votes," Casey said. "Better than a New Hampshire primary! If only that many folks would buy the comics...! In any case, the Pilot issue was only the beginning of what we're going to make sure is a wild ride when the new series hits in the fall.˛

Cyblade will see the return of the Pilot Season team of Joshua Hale Fialkov and Rick Mays.

"I'm incredibly grateful to everyone who voted for the book, and I'm positive they wonąt be disappointed with where the series goes," Fialkov said. "It's going to be balls-to-the-wall explodo, and I'm psyched to be along for the ride."

FIRST LOOKS -- UPDATED!

For covers and five- to six-page previews of upcoming titles, CLICK HERE.

Titles include Madame Mirage #5 from Image Comics; The Last Defenders #1 from Marvel Comics; and Red Sonja #30, Zorro #1 and New Battlestar Galactica: Origins #3 from Dynamite Entertainment.

TERRY DODSON COVERS SECRET INVASION TIE-INS

Marvel Comics on Tuesday announced that Terry Dodson will be providing all-new, interconnecting variant covers to two of the Secret Invasion: The Infiltration tie-ins -- Captain Marvel #4 and the extra-sized Ms. Marvel #25.

The covers present two different versions of the titular heroes, as the question is posed: are Ms. Marvel and Captain Marvel really Skrulls?

"We're excited to offer fans these gorgeous variants by Terry Dodson to highlight two important Secret Invasion tie-ins," said David Gabriel, Marvel's senior vice-president of sales & circulation. "These are the moments fans have been waiting for as Secret Invasion kicks into high gear and takes over 2008."

Captain Marvel #4 will be in stores on March 19. Ms. Marvel #25 will be in stores on March 26.

Click on the thumbnail for a larger image.

BRIEFLY

* Marvel Comics has announced a March 19 release for a second printing of The Twelve #2. The new printing will feature Chris Weston's interior art as the cover.

COMICS CONTINUUM BACK ISSUES

In case you missed The Continuum's coverage over the past month, here are some links. Click on the date to get the day's full report.

* Thursday, February 14: Justice League: The New Frontier's Brooke Shields, Knight Rider's David Hasselhoff, First Looks and Family Guy.